Wire-forming machine



sept. 2 1924. 1,507,007

F. H.' SLEEPER WIRE FORMING MCHINE Ea Q o o j/ f 15/6 @per Ef Nfl-WirfSept. 2 1924.

F. H. SLEEPER WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5, 1923 I5 Sheta-Shest 3Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

FRANK H. SLEEPER., OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS. ASSIGNOB. T0 SLEEPER &

HARTLEY, INC., OF WORCESTER. MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATON OF MASSA-cHUsET'rs.

WIRFPFORMING MACHINE.

Application filed January 5, 1923.

To El whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK H. SLEEPER, a citizen of the Dominion ofCanada, residing at li'lorcester, in the county of JWorcester and Stateot Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful lire-Forming Machine,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for forming wires in various shapesby a series of bending operations or the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a machine for thisurpose which will be capable oi: bending wires into forms longer thancan. be taken care of by the ordinary machines forgthis genera-lpurpose, called four slide machines in the trade. Those machines deliverthe article down through a central opening, and they are so arrangedthat it has to pass out through this opening flatwise so that thediameter ot the opening has to be as great as thc length of the articlein its longest direction. As the size ot' this opening controls the sizeof the machine, any increase in this diameter greatlyrincreases theweight and cost ot the machine and it has not been practical. heretoforeto produce articles on them more than a tew inches long.

Another object of the invention is to plo vide a Series of bendingdevices adjustable at will and in all directions over the surface of thetable on which the wire is to be bent and all capable of being operatedby adjustatble pull rods from the same cam shaft.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement by whichthe straight wire is cut ofi1 and delivered to the machine at the top`off an inclined table, a pair of the bending devices beingsimultaneously operated at the proper instant to move close enough tothe table to Jform stops to receive the wire and hold it while thebending op- @rations are being performed upon it.

Another object is to provide co-operating with the bending devices justabove mentioned one or more additionalV bending devices on the inclinedtable arranged to engage the wire and form it in such a manner as may bedesired. These. devices,ras stated. `are all adjustable on the surfaceof the table and their operating means are adjustable alsoin order thatthey may operate in proper sequence. There may be several of them. Y Ialsofprovide these devices in two sets Serial No. 610,812.

or in airs, operating those ot each pair fronitie same cams preferablyso that they will be forced to move in unison and have the sameamplitude of motion.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will appearhereinafter. Y,

Reference is to be had to the :accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 isa view of a preferred embodiment of this invention, looking toward theinclined table in a direction perpendicular thereto;

F ig. 2 is a sectional View on therline 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing by thearrow l the direction in which Fig. 1 is taken;

F ig. 3 is a top end view, looking in the direction of the arrow 3 inFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a bottoni end view.` looking in the direction of the arrow elin Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an end view, looking in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 4showing one ot' the Gains;

Figs. 6, 7 and S are section-.1l views of, the inclined table, showingthe operation of one of the rst winding heads and its relation to someof the other parts and illustrating three steps in the operation oibending the wire through a right angle; i

Figs. 9 3 inclusive are sectional views of one set of winding headstaken on a plane parallel to the table and showing successive steps inthe operation ot' bending one end of the wire in accordance with thisinvention, to produce the product which is shown in Fig. 14V.; and

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing another form in which thewire can be bent with this saine machine by changing the location,arrangement and amount.V of turning motion of the saine tools used tomake the wire shown in Figs. l?) and 14.

I have provided a machine which coinprises a frame 10 suitably supportedand a table 11 carriedthereby in an inclined position. Cto-operatingwith the machine is a wire feeding device of any desired kind'indicatedhere diagrammaticallyby a pair of feed rolls 12 located at the top ofthis table and near one end thereof. These feed rolls. rio-operatingwith the rest of the Jfeeding device, feed the wire into a pair of reg?istering grooves plancd in a fixed horizontal bar 13 along the top ofthe table 11` and a jaw 14 parallel therewith but pivoted on a tophorizontal shaft 15. This jaw is capable lll) of swinging away from thebar 13 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 to deliver the wire W from thispassage. It is caused to swing periodically by a cam on a shaft or anyother part that rotates in unison with the cam shaft to be described. Onthis part of the device there is an adjustable stop 16 carried by thehorizontal bar 17 and adapted to stop the feed of the wire into themachine. The wire is also cut off by an autonfiaticl cutting blade 18,means for operating which l have not shown herein as it does notconstitute a part of this invention.

The power from the machine is taken from anyudesired source as forexample the horizontal shaft 20 above the table and at one end thereoftransmitted to a cam shaft 21 which is located horizontally andsupported in bearings on brackets 22 bolted to the bottom of the tableon the front side thereof. This shaft extends across an open space 23 inthe center of the table at the bottom through which the product isadapted to be delivered. It has these bearing brackets 22 on both sidesof this space below the part of the table which carries the wire formingmechanism.

On the shaft 21 are three pairs of cams 26, 27 and 28. It is to be notedthat there is one cam of each of these pairs on each side of the openspace 23, the two cams of each pair being exactly alike. These camsoperate three pairs of pivoted arms 30, 31 and 32 also duplicated on theother side of the machine. These arms constitute in each case one armot' a bell crank, the other arm of which extends at any desired angleand has a wide surface in which are provided perforations for two pinsconnecting them in each case with two pull rods 33, 34 and 35respectively. lt is to be noted that the number is doubled here andthere are twelve of these rods. six on each side of the machine. Thesepull rods are all independently adjustable and this is accomplished byindividual turn buckles 36.

The two pull rods 35 connected with the bell crank 32 diverge so thatone of them extends to one side of the machine or table and the other tothe other side. Each of them is connected with a bell crank 37 providedwith a slot at one end for receiving a pin 38 connected with a slidablecenter pin 39 supported by a stationary head L10. This pin is locatedperpendicular to the table 11 and the rotation of the cam forces it downsubstantially into contact with the table once during each revolution ofthe cam shaft. The end of this center pin constitutes a stop for thewire so that when the wire is dropped from the jaws 13 and 14 it will bestopped by it, as indicated in Fig. 6.

It may be stated at this time that four of these heads 40 are shown herealthough a different number may be used. Each of the heads is mounted atthe end of a horizontal bracket 41 which is provided with longitudinalslots. By means of bolts these brackets are located in any desiredlongitudinal adjustment on a pair of slotted vertical brackets 42. Thelatter are held. by the same or other bolts, in longitudinal adjustmentthrough perforations 43 at the two ends of the table. The brackets 41can be adjusted longitudinally themselves and they can also be adjustedup and down on the table in the slots in the brackets 42 which also canbe adjusted. In fact, they can be adjusted to angular positions or inany desired way'and the adjustments are universal and unrestrictedexcept by the size of the ma chine. These heads are located in thismanner at any desired points on the face of the table 1l so as to getthe various bends in the wire at the proper distances apart and withproper relations to each other in the plane of the table.

The operation of the pins 39 is limited to a reciprocating motion. Theyare slidingly keyed to prevent rotation. Each of these pins is providedat the bottom with a slot 45 opening out sideways from the center sothat the part beyond the center constitutes the stop referred to above.They also have a deeper diametrical slot 46 perpendicular to the slot 45for receiving the wire, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9 and holding itduring the bending operation.

The rods 34 extend from their respective bell cranks 31 to the two heads40 located near the top ot the table. They are each connected with abell crank 51 projectingr from a winding head 50, rotatable in the head4:0 and surrounding the conter pin 39, for giving the winding head areciproca tion each time the cam 27 operates the bell crank 31.

The two rods 33 on the right hand side of the machine are connected witharms 47 fixed to a pair of gear segments 48. each of which meshes with apinion 49 tixed on the end of the windingr sleeve 50. This causes thewinding head to oscillate also at the proper time. The efl'ect of thesemotions will be described in connection with the tigures on the lastsheet. lt is to be observed here that although l have described onlyhalf of the mechanism shown. the other half on the other side of thetable operates the same way but at a later time in the cycle to actuatethe center' pins and winding heads of the two lower heads 10.

The operation of the machine when set up in the way shown here is astollows:-

First, the wire is lcd in against the stop and cut oft automatically.Then the two upper center pins 39 descend to the position shown in Fig.6 and the jaw 14 opens to let the wire out. The two center pins 39 areat the same level in the adjustment shown lltl 3. In a wire formingmachine, the combination of an inclined table, meanscfor discharging awire on said table near the top so that the wire will roll down thetable, stops located over the table for limiting the rolling motion ofthe wireand means for operating said stops to move them into and thenout of the `path of the wire. Y

4. In a wire forming machine, the combination of a bnr and jaw Jforreceiving a wire between them, means for moving the jaw away from thebar to release the wire, a table located below the bar and jaw toreceive the wire therefrom, a pair of center pins above the table. meansfor moving said center pins to a position .in which they will preventthe passage ,of the wire between them and the table, and means Vfor thenmoving the center pins inwardly toward the table to retain the wire inposition, said center pins having grooves across theirfends forreceiving the wire and positively holding it when the pins are forcedinwardly.V 'i Y 5. In a wire forming machine, the combination with apair of jaws for receiving a wire, means Jfor moving one jaw to releasethe wire, an inclined table located below the jaws to receive the wiretherefrom, a pair of center pins above the table, means for moving saidpins to a position in which they will prevent the passage of the wirebelow and beyond them, means Jfor then `moving; the center pins inwardlytoward the table to retain the wire in position, sai center pins havinggrooves across their ends for receiving the wire and holding it when thepins are forced inwardly, a winding head surrounding each center pin,and means tor turning said winding heads around the center pins to bendthe wires where they project beyond the pins.

6. In a wire forming machine, the com bination of an inclined tablewitha center pin having a projection Y at the bottom, whereby a wirerolling along the table will be stopped and held by saidY projection,the center pin also having a groove across it, whereby when loweredJfurther it will clamp the wire in position andhaving an slot on itsrear side in the plane oi saidgroove, a winding head oscillatablymounted on said center pin, and means for turning Vsaid winding head toswing the projectin end of a wire supported by the pin aroun Y into saidoffset slot, whereby a sharp .angled bend can be provided. Y 7. In awire forming machine, the combination of an inclined table with a pairof center pins each having a projection atrthe bottom, means for movingsaid centerY pins into such position that the projections Vsubstantiallycome into registration with the surface of the table, whereby arwirerolling along the table from above' will'Vl be stopped and held by SaidProlefffqns Lampo? the center pins also having a diametrical grooveacross them, wherebyV when lowered further they will clampv the wire'inposition and having offset slots on their rear sides in the plane ofsaid grooves, a. winding head oscillatably mounted on each center pin,and means for turning sai windM ing heads to swing the projecting endsof a wire supported by the two pins around into said oliset slots,whereby two sharp angled bends can be provided.

8. In a wire forming machine, the comb-ination of atablewith a center inhaving a projection at the end, means ihr moving said center pin intosuch position that the projection substantially comes into registrationwith the surfaces of the table, whereby a wire moving along the tablewill be stopped and held by said projection, the center pin also havinga diametrical groove across it, whereby when lowered further lit willclam the wire in position, a winding head osci latably mounted on saidcenter pin, means for turning said winding head to swing the projectingend of a wire supported against the pin around to provide a bend in thewire, and means for moving the Winding head in the direction of the axisof the center pin and into and out of operative position.

9. In a wire forming machine, the combination of an inclined table witha pair of center pins for stop ing a wire rolling down the ltalfile froma ove, la winding head osciliatabiy` mounted on each center pin, meansvfor turning said winding heads to swing the projecting ends of a wirearound the pins, an additional winding head located on the table at apoint below one of the first mentioned winding heads and center pins andhaving a center in located in position toY engage the side o the wirewhen bent around one yof the first named center pins and constituting astop for it, means for turning the last named winding hea-d into aposition to engageV the wire and turn it about its center pin to form.another Vbend in the wire, and means for thereafter raising the windingheads and center pins to release the bent wire' and allow it to slidedown the table to be delivered.

10. In awire forming machine, the combination with an inclined iattable, of a series of brackets Ycarried by said table, each having awinding head and a center pin thereon, means w ereby said brackets maybe adjusted to bring t e center pin into any desired position on thetable, two of said center pins being located in position to constitutestops for wires roiling down the table. means coo rating4 with saidcenter pinsffor bending ,e wires about them Vas centers, means along thetable below the said center pins for :up rting anadditional pair 4ofwinding hea andcepter'pins in anyA e- A .'ff.

1,507 oov siredv adjusted position sol that when the ends of'ftlie wiresare. bent around the first pair ot`l` center pins they will' come intocontactlwith another pain of center pins and the Wires Willbe bent!therearound'to form a further bend near each end Y 11-1 In a wireforming machine, the com. bination with an inclined table, off' av pairof' winding heads adjustnbly locatedy near the top of the table, havingcenter. pins adaptedito act as stops for aV Wire rollin down the table.a cam shaft5 a plurality o? cams thereon, a pair of longitudinally adijnstable rods arranged to bev operated by each ofsaid'cams, onerod`oiiea'chpairV eX- tendin tofoneofsaidr'headsand the other rod ofeach pair to the other head,` means connectediwith one rodfor raisingVand'loW- eri'ngthe center pin, means connected with the second rod onthe same side o the ma:- ch'ine for raising and lowering the Windingheed and means connected with the third rodi on the same side of themachine for oscillating the .winding head:

12.A Iii a wire forming machine". the combination with an inclinedtabl,offa pair of Winding heads adjnstably located near the top of the table,having center pins adapted to act as stops for a Wire rolling down thetable, a cam shaft at the bottom of said table, a plurality of camsthereon, a pair of longitudinally adjustable rods arranged to beoperated by each of said cams, one rod of each pair extending to one ofsaid heads and the other rod of each pair to the other head. meansconnected with one rod for raising and lowering the center pin, meansconnected with the second rod on the same side of the machine forraising and lowering the Winding head, means connected with the thirdrod on the same side of the machine for oscillating the Winding head,the rods extending to the other side of the machine having correspondingconnections, additional winding heads and center pins located on saidtable, a second series of cams located on said shaft, and adjustablerods connected with the cams and with the second series of heads andcenter pins for operating the same.

13. In a Wire forming machine, the combination with a table, of a pairof Winding heads located over the table. having center pins adapted toact as stops for a Wire on the table. a cam shaft, a plurality of camsthereon, a pair of rods arranged to be operated by each of said cams,one rod of each pair extending to one of said heads and the other rod ofeach pair to the other head, means connected with one rod for moving thecenter pin toward and from the table, means connected with the secondrod on the same side of the machine for moving the Winding head towardand from the table, means connected with the third rod on the same sideof the machine for oscillating the winding; heath the rods extending tothe other side of-tlie machineliaving corresperidi ing connections;additional winding Heads and center' pins lbcated onA saiirlv table; asecond series off cams locatedlon saidshait, and rodsconnectcdfwiththe-cams andfwith the second'serics'oiilieads and "centerpinsifor operating the same.`

145'Ih a- Wirefrming machine, the cornbiuationwvitii a table,` of a pairofwindi'rig heads located near the table; having` center pinsfadaptedftoactiasistopsrfor a wireonthe tabie; a-cam shaft, apliiraiitytoffoamsitiere# on, aI pair 'of rods 'arrangedto' lie operatedby' eaehv offsaid'f eamsl one" rodfoleach* pair extending tb -one'oisaidheadseand ftheiaotlier rodr of each pairto theotherhead,I meanscoi'inecteds with one rod for raising@ mid lowering. tliecenter pin.means connected with the secondi rod" on the same side ofthe machine forraising#andlovlreringrtheWind ing head, andimeans lconnectedtwitihthefthiild rodi on the same sideYY onthemachinei for oscillating the-Windingr head? 15". Ih alwire'fianingfmaohine; tle combinationWithaftabl, o'ffaiserieso'f hl'akets carrifs-iby said'tahle;eaclihaviiig amindinvg head and a center pin thereon, two of said centerpins being located in position to constitute stops for wires on thetable, means (1o-operating with said center pins for bending the wiresabout them as centers. means along the table beyond the said center pinsfor supporting an additional pair of Winding heads and center pins sothat when the ends of the Wires are bent around the first pair of centerpins they will come into contact with another pair of center pins andthe Wires will be bent therearound to form a further bend near each end.

16. In a Wire forming machine, the combination of a table with a pair ofcenter pins, a Winding head oscillatably mounted on each center pinmeans for turning said winding headsl to swing the projecting ends of aWire around the pins, an additional Winding head located on the tableand having a center pin located in osition to engage the side of thewire when ent around one ofthe first named center pins and constitutinga stop for it, means for turning the last named windingr head into aposition to engage the Wire and turn it about its center pin to formanother bend in the Wire, and means for thereafter raising the windingheads and center pins to release the bent Wire.

17. In a wire forming machine, the combination of a table with a pair ofcenter pins each having a projection at the end, means for moving saidcenter pins into such position that the projections substantially comeinto registration with the surface of the table` whereby a wire on thetable will be held by said projections, the center pins grooves` awinding head oscillatably mounted on each center pin, and means forturning said winding heads to swin the projecting ends of a wiresupporte by the two pins around into said offset slots, whereby twosharp angled bends can be provided. 18. In a wire forming machine, thecombination of a table with a center pin having a projection at the endwhereby a wire rolling on the table will be held by said projection, thecenter pin also having a groove across it, Whereb when moved further itwill clamp the wire in position and having a slot on its rear side inthe plane of said groove, a winding head oscillatably mounted on saidcenter pin` and means for turn ingsaid Winding head to swing theprojecting end of a wire supported by the pin around into said o'setslot, whereby a sharp angled bend can be provided.

19. In a wire forming machine, the con bination with a table, a pair ofcenter pins above the table, of means for moving said pins to a positionin which they will prevent the passage of the wire beyond them, meansfor then moving the center pins inwardly toward the table to retain thewire in position` said center pins having grooves across their ends forreceiving the wire and holding it when the pins are Jforced inwardly, awinding head surrounding each center pin, and means tor turning saidwinding heads around the center pins to bend the wires where theyproject beyond the pins.'

20. In a wire forming machine, the combination of a table, a pair ofcenter pins above the table, means for moving said. center pins to aposition in which they will prevent the passage of the wire between themand the table, and means for then moving the center pins inwardly towardthe table to retain the wire in position, said center pins havinggrooves across their ends Jfor receiving the wire and positivelyholding` it when the pins are forced inwardly.

It testimony whereof I have hereunto atiixed my signature.

FRANK H. sLEnPnR.

